Prefabricated building sections

ABSTRACT

A prefabricated building section is disclosed having a corrugated panel with ridges and grooves and a side support channel affixed adjacent a side boundary of the panel and spaced from the nearest ridge thereof to accommodate a corresponding support channel of a like section stacked thereon prior to erection of the building. Additionally, the support channel extends from the panel a sufficient distance to provide clearance for the ridges of a corrugated panel stacked thereagainst to prevent damage thereto. The building sections may also be provided with a lifting lug which is mounted to the support channel for pivotal movement between a projecting position in which it may be engaged by a lifting device and a nonprojecting position in which it serves as a spacer to provide a construction clearance between adjacent sections upon assembly.

United States Patent Lewis et al.

Nov. 7, 1972 [54] PREFABRICATED BUILDING SECTIONS [72] Inventors: James C. Lewis; Scott C. Lewis; Robert M. I-Iockett, all of Tulsa, Okla.

[73] Assignee: Braden Steel Corp., Tulsa, Okla.

[22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 79,734

[52] US. Cl. ..52/125, 52/614, 52/618, 52/625, 52/629, 52/493, 52/490 [51] Int. Cl. ..E04c 2/32, E040 2/38, E04c 2/50 [58] Field of Search ..52/122, 125, 614, 618, 624, 52/625, 267-630 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,804,953 9/1957 Buehler ..-....52/625 2,292,372 8/1942 Gerlach et al. ..52/629 184,086 11/1876 Kittredge et al. ..52/614 3,481,643 12/1969 Campbell ..52/618 3,064,770 11/1962 Andrews ..52/630 3,327,434 6/1967 Martin ..52/625 793,358 6/1905 Doyle ..52/625 2,217,083 10/1940 Vetter ..52/618 3,078,621 2/1963 Hinds ..52/125 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 551,867 ll/1956 Belgium ..52/122 1,051,743 1/1953 Primary Examiner-Frank L. Abbott Assistant Examiner-Leslie A. Braun Att0rney-Harncss, Dickey & Pierce [5 7 ABSTRACT clearance for the ridges of a corrugated panel stacked thereagainst to prevent damage thereto. The building sections may also be provided with a lifting lug which is mounted to the support channel for pivotal movement between a projecting position in which it may be engaged by a lifting device and a nonprojecting position in which it serves as a spacer to provide a construction clearance between adjacent sections upon assembly.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures France ..52/629' PREFABRICATED BUILDING SECTIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Because of on-site labor costs and other factors the use of prefabricated buildings is increasing in the construction industry. Generally, such buildings comprise roof and side sections which are prefabricated at the factory and transported to a construction site for erection and assembly into a complete building. The transportation of prefabricated building sections and the erection and lifting of roof and other sections to a position for joining with other sections to form a building are therefore necessary and important aspects of this process. It will be appreciated then that the continued acceptance of this method by the building industry depends in large part upon an efficient system for transporting the prefabricated sections and for lifting and positioningthem in place for attachment to other sections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides new and improved prefabricated building section structures having means for permitting the stacking of the prefabricated building sections for transportation with a minimum amount of dunnage or other packing accessories. Accordingly, the present invention minimizes the cost of transportation of prefabricated building sections. In essence, the exemplary prefabricated building sections include a corrugated panel with a plurality of parallel ridges and intermediate grooves, and at least one support member affixed adjacent a boundary of the panel parallel to the ridges and grooves. The support member is positioned such that the nearest ridge is offset sufficiently to provide a clearance for the projecting end of a support member of an adjacent stacked section. Furthermore, the support member extends from the panel a predetermined distance to provide clearance for the ridges on the adjacent stacked section.

The present invention also provides novel means for lifting the prefabricated building sections into position for assembly and for spacing adjacent sections to provide a construction clearance. More particularly, a lifting lug is provided which is mounted to the outside surface of the side support member such that it may be pivoted to a first position wherein it extends beyond the panel for engagement with a lifting hook or the like, and such that it may be pivoted to a second nonprojecting position to serve as a spacer between adjacent building sections to provide a construction clearance. As a still additional feature, the lifting lug is pivotally mounted using a bolt which also serves to fasten adjacent prefabricated building sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an assembly view of a pair of prefabricated side sections and a pair of prefabricated roof sections for a building;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a plurality of stacked prefabricated building side sections;

FIG. 3 is a top cross-sectional view of a pair of prefabricated building side sections joined to a building frame member taken generally along the lines 33 of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is a partial top cross-sectional view of a pair of prefabricated building side sections joined intermediate the building frame members;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a pair of prefabricated building roof sections joined at a building roof frame member taken generally along the lines 5- 5 of FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary lifting lug according to this invention in its operating positions; and

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the positioning of a prefabricated building roof section using the lifting lug of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1, a pair of prefabricated building side sections 12 and roof sections 14 are shown in their assembled positions. The construction of the side sections 12 can be better seen with reference to FIG. 2 in which three side sections are illustrated in stacked positions for shipment. Each side section 12 includes a corrugated panel 16 having ridges and grooves as illustrated. The corrugated panel 16 has top, bottom and side boundaries of the panel.

The corrugated panel 16 is affixed to a frame including a side support member 18 adjacent each side boundary of panel 16, and preferably, a plurality of transverse members 20 affixed to and extending perpendicularly between the side members 18. For the purposes of this application, the ridges of the corrugated panel 16 will be considered those projections extending away from or oppositely of the side and transverse members 18 and 20, i.e., upwardly as shown in FIG. 2 or outwardly when the side section 12 is assembled as part of a building structure. The corrugated panel 16 is mounted on the frame such that its side boundaries are in alignment or inwardly offset from the outer edges of the side members 18. The frame members 18 and 20 may be U-channels with a web connecting two perpendicularly extending flanges as shown. The webs of the side channels 18 preferably extend perpendicularly from the corrugated panel 16 with both flanges of the side channel extending to the inside of the panel to provide a flush surface at the side edge of the section 12. Thus, one of the flanges isadjacent the corrugated panel 16 while the other flange 22 is remote from the corrugated panel 16. The remote flange 22 extends beyond the transverse channel 20 a predetermined distance to provide a clearance for the ridges of the corrugated panel of a like adjacent section when stacked thereon in the same orientation as shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the side channel 18 is positioned with respect to the ridges of the corrugated panel 16 such that the ridge nearest the side edge channel 18 is spaced a sufficient distance therefrom to provide clearance for the width of the remote flange 22 of a stacked adjacent side section 12. The web of the U- channel preferably perpendicularly extends from the panel 16 with the nearest ridge spaced at least the width of the remote flange less the outward offset of the web from alignment with the side boundary of the panel 16. In other words, the distance from the web to the nearest ridge is at least as great as the distance the remote flange 22 extends from the web. After stacking of the sections 12, the sections are preferably bolted together, for example, using a lifting lug as described in FIGS. 5-7. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the side channels, 18 of the bottom section conveniently serve as a stand for the stack to further protect the corrugated panel 16.

In FIG. 3, a pair of side sections 12 are shown jointed to a main upright I-beam 24 for a building frame by means of bolts 26 extending through flanges on the I- beam 24-and the remote flange 22 of the side channels 18. For this purpose, suitable holes through the I-beam flanges andthe side channel flanges 22 are provided. As can be best seen in FIG. 3, a construction clearance is provided between the side sections 12 in accordance with established practice in the art. The groove or inset resulting from the construction clearance is covered by a corrugated batten-28 which extends across the inset into cooperating engagement with the outside surfaces of the corrugated panels 16. So that the corrugated batten 28 may be constructed of the same stock as the corrugated panel 16, the corrugated panel 16 is connected to the side channels 18 to provide a spacing between the most proximate ridges on the respective side sections 12 equal to an integral number of ridge-intervals, i.e., the nominal distance between the ridges in the corrugated panel 16, when the sections 12 are attached .to the building frame member 24.

In FIG. 4, the prefabricated side sections 12 are connected intermediate the building main frame members by bolts 30. A suitable spacer 32 is disposed intermediate the section edges to provide a construction clearance.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the corrugated panels 16 overlap the adjacent flange of the side support channel 18. If desired, the side boundary of the corrugated panel 16 may be spaced from the adjacent flange of the side support channel 18 so as to provide a clearance therebetween to allow access to the bolts which join the adjacent sections from the outside of the sections to facilitate the erection of a prefabricated building structure.

InFIG. 5, a pair of roof sections 14 are illustrated which are bolted to a roof-I-beam 38. The roof sections 14 have corrugated panels 40 vwith ridges and grooves and support members or channels adjacent opposite boundaries of the panel 40 which extend parallel to the ridges and grooves essentially as described with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3. Specifically each support channel 42 has a remote flange 44 which extends beyond a transverse channel 42 has a remote flange 44 which extends beyond a transverse channel 46 a predetermined distance which is greater than the projection of the ridges of corrugated panel 16 to facilitate stacking. Also, to facilitate stacking, the nearest ridge of the corrugated panel 40 is displaced from the support channel 42 a sufficient distance to provide clearance for the width of the remote flange 44. I

As can be seen in FIG. 5, a lifting lug 50, disposed intermediate the support, channels 42 of the roof sections 14, receives a bolt 52 extending through support channels 42 to securely fasten the roof sections 14 to each other and to the lifting lug 50. The lifting lug 50 may be rotated to a vertical position as shown such that it projects above the section 14 to expose an opening 54 which is adapted to receivea crane hook or other lifting means. Prior to full tighteningof the bolt 52, the lifting lug 50 is pivoted downwardly into a non-projecting position which can be better seen with respect to FIG. 6. With reference now to FIG. 6, the lifting lug 50 is shown mounted intermediate support channels 42 by means of the bolt 52. In the position shown by the solid line, the lifting lug 50 extends above the surface of the corrugated panels'40 only one shown) so as to expose the opening 54. When rotated downwardly into a substantially horizontal position as illustrated by the dotted lines, the lifting lug 50 does not extend above the corrugated panel 40, and moreover, expeditiously serves as a spacing member to provide a construction clearance between adjacent sections 14. When the lifting lug is in the lowered position, a roof batten similar to those discussed with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4 can be positioned over the construction clearance groove between the roof sections 14.

FIG."7 illustrates the preferred method of using the lifting lug 50'so as to facilitate the mounting of the roof sections 14 on the roof support I-beam 38. In the preferred method, the bolt 52 threadedly engages the opening therefor in the lifting lug 50 so as to secure the lifting lug 50 to one end beam 42 as illustrated. The bolt extends a from the lifting lug a predetermined distance which is sufficient to allow passage of the bolt 52 through the adjacent support channel 42 and engagement with a cooperating nut. After roof section 14 is lifted atop the main roof support I-beam 38, the section is positioned such that the bolt 52 protrudes through the opening in the support channel 42 of the adjacent roof section 14. After positioning, the roof sections are secured to each other by means of a nut (not shown) which threadedly engages the bolt 52 as illustrated in FIG. 5. Prior to tightening of the nut, the lifting lug 50 is pivoted downwardly into the nonprojecting position as shown in FIG. 6 to serve as a spacer between the roof sections 14.

' It will now be appreciated that the present invention .provides new prefabricated building section structures having improved provision for the transportation of the sections to the erection siteand also having an improved provision for the lifting and positioning of the sections for assembly with other sections. Accordingly, the advance in the art provided by the present invention results in lower buildingcosts, and consequently, contributes to the acceptance of this methodof construction by the industry.

While it will be apparent that the teachings herein are well calculated to teach one skilled in the art the method of making the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be appreciated that the inventionis susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A prefabricated building section comprising: a corregated panel having a plurality of ridges parallel to one another and to the side edges of said panel, the portions of said panel disposed between said ridges having inside surfaces lying generally in a first plane, said ridges projecting outwardly from said panel and terminating generally in a second plane spaced outwardly from said first plane; a support member disposed along and adjacent each of the side edges of said panel, each of said support members having a web portion and a flange, said web portion being disposed generally perpendicular to said panel and extending inwardly therefrom in the opposite direction from said ridges, said web portion being disposed entirely on one side of said first plane, said flange of each support member underlying said panel and extending toward the corresponding flange on the support member disposed at the opposite edge of said panel, the portion of said panel which each said flange underlies being spaced from the most adjacent ridge on said panel a sufficient distance to prevent engagement of said ridge with a corresponding flange of a like section oriented the same as said section and stacked thereon, said flanges on said support members lying in substantially a common plane spaced from said panel; and a plurality of support elements secured to and extending between said support members in engagement with said inside surfaces, said support elements being secured to said panel and being entirely spaced from said first plane a distance at least as great as the distance between said first and second planes.

2. A building section as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said support members is generally channelshaped in cross-section with said flange extending along the edge thereof disposed away from said panel, each said support member including a second flange disposed adjacent said side edge of said panel.

3. A prefabricated building section as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said support member is spaced from said panel.

4. A prefabricated building section as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a lifting member having a portion adapted to be engaged by lifting means, said lifting member being mounted to one of said support members for pivotal movement from a position in which said portion projects from the plane of said section to a position wherein said portion is nonprojecting.

S. A prefabricated building section as claimed in claim 4, wherein said lifting member is mounted to the web portion of one of said support members on the side thereof disposed away from said panel to serve as a construction clearance spacer between said section and an adjacent prefabricated building section secured thereto.

6. Sections for a prefabricated building, comprising: means defining a first structural framework having a first peripheral frame member; means defining a second like structural framework having a second peripheral frame member, said first and second frameworks being mounted in a side-by-side relationship with said respective peripheral frame members adjacent one another; a panel secured to and supported by each of said frameworks; an elongated lifting member having a lifting portion thereon engageable by a lifting means; fastening means extending entirely through one of said adjacent frame members, said lifting member and the other of said frame members, said fastening means mounting said lifting member for pivotal movement from a first position in which said lifting portion projects from the plane of said panel to facilitate lifting thereof, to a second position wherein said portion is not projecting so as to serve as a construction clearance spacer between said frame members; and locking means for securing said fastening means and both said frame members together, said locking means being operable to prevent rotation of said lifting member upon finalassembl of the sections. 7. A prefabricated building sec ion comprising:

means defining a structural framework having generally parallel longitudinally extending first and second side frame members generally aligned with one another; a panel secured to and supported by said framework; a lifting member having a lifting portion thereon engageable by a lifting means, said lifting member being disposed immediately adjacent the outside frame of said second frame member; fastening means extending transversely through said second frame member and said lifting member for mounting said lifting member for pivotal movement from a first position in which said lifting portion projects from the plane of said panel to facilitate lifting thereof, to a second position wherein said lifting portion is not projecting so as to serve as a construction clearance spacer between said second frame member and the first frame member of a like section connected thereto in side-byside relationship, said fastening means having a free end portion extending beyond said lifting member in a direction away from said second frame member a distance greater than the transverse thickness of said first frame member in a direction parallel to the plane of said section; means defining a transversely extending opening in said first frame member in axial alignment with said fastening means, said opening being larger than the cross-sectional size of said fastening means; and means for securing said free end of said fastening means to the first frame member of an adjacent like section when said free end is disposed within the opening in the first frame member of such like section.

8. A prefabricated building section as claimed in claim 26, wherein said fastening means comprises a threaded member passing through and threadably engaging said lifting member.

UNITED STATES PATENT eEEiEE CERTIFECATE 0F (JGRREQTWN Patent No.3, 702, 046 Dated November 7, 1972 Inventor(s) James C. Lewis; Scott C. Lewis; Robert M. Hockett It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 5, "jointed" should be joined Column 3, line 50, "42" should be'-- 46 Column 6, line 48, "26" should be 7 Column 3, lines 50 and 51, "14.2 has a remote flange Al which extends beyond a transverse channel" should be cancelled.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of April 1973 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR.

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM FO-IOSO (10-69] USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 & u.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE; 1959 0-365-334 

1. A prefabricated building section comprising: a corregated panel having a plurality of ridges parallel to one another and to the side edges of said panel, the portions of said panel disposed between said ridges having inside surfaces lying generally in a first plane, said ridges projecting outwardly from said panel and terminating generally in a second plane spaced outwardly from said first plane; a support member disposed along and adjacent each of the side edges of said panel, each of said support members having a web portion and a flange, said web portion being disposed generally perpendicular to said panel and extending inwardly therefrom in the opposite direction from said ridges, said web portion being disposed entirely on one side of said first plane, said flange of each support member underlying said panel and extending toward the corresponding flange on the support member disposed at the opposite edge of said panel, the portion of said panel which each said flange underlies being spaced from the most adjacent ridge on said panel a sufficient distance to prevent engagement of said ridge with a corresponding flange of a like section oriented the same as said section and stacked thereon, said flanges on said support members lying in substantially a common plane spaced from said panel; and a plurality of support elements secured to and extending between said support members in engagement with said inside surfaces, said support elements being secured to said panel and being entirely spaced from said first plane a distance at least as great as the distance between said first and second planes.
 2. A building section as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said support members is generally channel-shaped in crOss-section with said flange extending along the edge thereof disposed away from said panel, each said support member including a second flange disposed adjacent said side edge of said panel.
 3. A prefabricated building section as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said support member is spaced from said panel.
 4. A prefabricated building section as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a lifting member having a portion adapted to be engaged by lifting means, said lifting member being mounted to one of said support members for pivotal movement from a position in which said portion projects from the plane of said section to a position wherein said portion is nonprojecting.
 5. A prefabricated building section as claimed in claim 4, wherein said lifting member is mounted to the web portion of one of said support members on the side thereof disposed away from said panel to serve as a construction clearance spacer between said section and an adjacent prefabricated building section secured thereto.
 6. Sections for a prefabricated building, comprising: means defining a first structural framework having a first peripheral frame member; means defining a second like structural framework having a second peripheral frame member, said first and second frameworks being mounted in a side-by-side relationship with said respective peripheral frame members adjacent one another; a panel secured to and supported by each of said frameworks; an elongated lifting member having a lifting portion thereon engageable by a lifting means; fastening means extending entirely through one of said adjacent frame members, said lifting member and the other of said frame members, said fastening means mounting said lifting member for pivotal movement from a first position in which said lifting portion projects from the plane of said panel to facilitate lifting thereof, to a second position wherein said portion is not projecting so as to serve as a construction clearance spacer between said frame members; and locking means for securing said fastening means and both said frame members together, said locking means being operable to prevent rotation of said lifting member upon final assembly of the sections.
 7. A prefabricated building section comprising: means defining a structural framework having generally parallel longitudinally extending first and second side frame members generally aligned with one another; a panel secured to and supported by said framework; a lifting member having a lifting portion thereon engageable by a lifting means, said lifting member being disposed immediately adjacent the outside frame of said second frame member; fastening means extending transversely through said second frame member and said lifting member for mounting said lifting member for pivotal movement from a first position in which said lifting portion projects from the plane of said panel to facilitate lifting thereof, to a second position wherein said lifting portion is not projecting so as to serve as a construction clearance spacer between said second frame member and the first frame member of a like section connected thereto in side-by-side relationship, said fastening means having a free end portion extending beyond said lifting member in a direction away from said second frame member a distance greater than the transverse thickness of said first frame member in a direction parallel to the plane of said section; means defining a transversely extending opening in said first frame member in axial alignment with said fastening means, said opening being larger than the cross-sectional size of said fastening means; and means for securing said free end of said fastening means to the first frame member of an adjacent like section when said free end is disposed within the opening in the first frame member of such like section.
 8. A prefabricated building section as claimed in claim 26, wherein said fastening means comprises a threaded member passing through and threadably engaging said lifting member. 